Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to congratulate French Prime Minister Jean Castex on his appointment. The text of the letter is appended.
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
13 JULY 2020
. . . . .
9 July 2020
Dear Prime Minister Castex,
Congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of the French Republic.
France and Singapore enjoy excellent relations, anchored by our common conviction on the importance of multilateralism, free trade, and a rules-based international order. We are celebrating the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Our Strategic Partnership formalises our longstanding cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, education and culture, defence and security, as well as innovation and technology. The EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which entered into force last year, will also help strengthen economic ties between our countries and regions.
I understand that you have been deeply involved in your country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This experience puts you in good stead to lead France through this enormous challenge. Overcoming this crisis will require international cooperation and solidarity on issues such as maintaining global supply chain connectivity and promoting global access to therapeutics and vaccines. Singapore stands ready to work with France to achieve these common goals.
I wish you every success and hope to meet you soon.
Yours sincerely,
LEE HSIEN LOONG
His Excellency Jean Castex
Prime Minister
French Republic